Urban Designer - Planner II

Candidates should have a strong background in urban planning and urban design, with an emphasis on the design of the public realm and a clear understanding of how streets, buildings, open spaces, and infrastructure come together to shape walkable, well-connected places. This position will focus primarily on urban design, visioning, and placemaking efforts, including the preparation of long-range, corridor, neighborhood, sub-area, and park plans; developing graphics and technical drawings related to urban form, preservation planning, and other related functions. The Urban Designer will be an integral member of the Planning Department and a key contributor to the City of Thomasville’s design-led approach to public investment, helping translate adopted plans and concepts into streetscapes, parks, and other high-visibility projects that reinforce the city’s historic fabric and sense of place.

(examples, not all inclusive)

• Assists in drafting and maintaining the Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations. 
• Participates in upgrading the City’s conventional zoning ordinance, promoting the use of a unified development ordinance and implementation of form-based standards.    
• Conducts creative planning (master plans, illustrative plans, revitalization plans, etc.) at a variety of scales, including the region, sector, district, neighborhood, corridor, block, and lot.
• Performs planning-related research of a specific or general nature. Writes and presents formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence. 
• Promotes urban design as a means for improving the quality of life and stimulating economic development.
• Evaluates adequacy of community facilities in meeting current and projected needs. Recommends priorities, schedules, and funding sources to implement improvements.
• Conducts meetings with citizens, private developers, and actively participates in community-based charrettes in order to resolve complex issues.
• Coordinates and follows up with appropriate committees, departments, and agencies to ensure desired results and completion of projects. 
• Interpret the city’s regulations, plans, and policies for elected and appointed officials, citizens, and the business community. Write staff reports and notifications. 

Education and Experience:

This position generally requires a master's degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or a closely related field with two (2) years of experience in the planning profession. A bachelor’s degree in a related field may be acceptable with at least four (4) years of planning experience.

Professional credentials in related fields or specializations are desired, such as accreditation through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-A), US Green Building Council (USGBC-LEED), National Charrette Institute (NCI), or similar.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of comprehensive and master planning concepts, new urban design principles, and form-based coding.

Rendering and graphic production, including hand sketching, master planning, computer-generated perspectives, diagrams, etc.

Knowledge of computer hardware and software. Familiarity with one or more urban design programs (i.e. SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, ArcView/ArcGIS, or similar) is expected. 

Ability to read and interpret concept plans; zoning maps; as well as architectural, engineering, and building plans. 

Actively promotes a collaborative and innovative culture.

Ability to deal courteously and diplomatically with the general public.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally, graphically, and in writing.

Ability to complete tasks with accuracy and with strong attention to detail while consistently meeting deadlines.

Knowledge of Georgia land use laws and local regulations.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office setting: frequent interruptions and many deadlines to meet. Ability to attend evening meetings is mandatory.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. 

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.